Please Inspect Your Boat

Recreational boating has been identified as a key pathway in the spread on aquatic invasive species (AIS).  Organisms, such as Eurasian water-milfoil and rusty crayfish, can be transported on anything that comes in contact with the water, including boats, trailers, and other recreational equipment.  Early life stages of many plant and animal species, as well as pathogens and bacteria, can be transported in spaces that hold water such as bilge water, livewells, and bait buckets.

Boaters can help prevent the spread of AIS from one body of water to another by checking boats, trailers, and equipment for aquatic hitchhikers and draining their boats and all other areas that can hold water before entering or leaving a body of water.  Watercraft inspection consists of visually inspecting all areas of bating and recreational equipment that comes in contact with or hold water; removing all visible plants, animals, and mud; and draining water from all compartments and containers.  These practices reduce the risk of movement of all organisms from one body of water to another.